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(c) The Sawmilling Industry (Christmas Holidays) Notice 1944 (Gazette, 1944, page 1467) : This notice required every sawmilling undertaking and every employee to continue working until the usual closing-time on Thursday, 21st December, 1944, and to resume not later than the usual commencing time on Wednesday, 10th January, 1945. Provision was made in these notices for relaxation or variation to meet individual requirements by consent of the Timber Controller. The Timber Industry Labour Legislation Modification Order 1941 (Gazette, 1941, page 3959), issued by the Minister of Labour under the Labour Legislation Emergency Regulations 1940 (1940/123)' was revoked by notice published in Gazette, 1945, page 158, effective from 7th February, 1945. This Order modified Timber Workers' awards throughout the Dominion by providing— (a) For the making up on a Saturday of time lost during the preceding three weeks in lieu of the preceding five days as provided by the awards ; and (b) For payment of overtime worked on Saturday at the rate of time and a half for the first eight hours instead of at the rate of time and a half for the first four hours and double time thereafter as provided by the awards. The voluntary surrender by the union of these award rights which only now have been restored after almost three years' suspension constitutes a real contribution to the country's war effort which is not surpassed by that of any other industry. Following the restoration of award conditions, some mills, by arrangement between all concerned, are working alternate weeks of five and six days of eight hours each, except that longer hours are worked in logging operations where necessary to maintain mills in logs for an average working-week of forty-four hours. The working of extended hours by sawmills directed under Regulation 20 of the Industrial Manpower Emergency Regulations has been subsidized from the War Expenses Account since the coming into force of the Timber Industry Labour Legislation Modification Order 1941, mentioned above, to the extent of 80 per cent, of the extra wages cost over and above ordinary rates—i.e., 80 per cent', of half-time. Since 7th February, 1945, when the revocation of the Order became effective, the subsidy has been increased to cover 80 per cent, of the extra cost for overtime at time and a half rates worked during the week and on Saturday mornings, and 100 per cent, of the extra cost of overtime at double rates worked on Saturday afternoons. The Forest Service checks all claims from the industry for the subsidy, and during the year has passed for payment amounts totalling £76,024 (£69,515). The extra production resulting from the operation of the subsidy is calculated at approximately 27,000 000 board feet (25,000,000). ' ' 103. Petrol and Tire Conservation and Vehicle and Tractor Supplies.—The Forest Service has continued to act in an advisory and law enforcement capacity to the Commissioner of Transport and Oil Fuel Controller in respect to the use of petrol and tires by the various sections of the industry. As the distribution of virtually all timber-supplies throughout the country is under the joint or separate control of Zonal End-Use Committees, various sawmillers' organizations and the Office of the Timber Controller, all applications for petrol and tires in order to allow either individual merchants or users to canvass the various mills for supplies have been declined. Much assistance was rendered the industry by way of arranging for the supply of parts and new plant, and for the hiring of tractors and other essential equipment. The close co-operation of the Public Works Department and the Transport Department in the supply of equipment has enabled all essential work to be continued, and is acknowledged with appreciation. 104. Essential Supplies.—Due to a general easing of the supply position, items which were held as national reserve stocks have now been absorbed into bulk supplies and the control authority's approval of releases is no longer necessary for the procurement of saws, wire ropes, corrugated fasteners hoop steel, and steel rails. 105. Timber Purchases for Defence Worlcs. —Purchases of timber for defence purposes amounted to only £80,380 (£800,860), of which £61,487 was in part payment of a shipbuilding order placed in the preceding period and the balance for timber supplied during that period. As stated in last year's report, the Forest Service ceased the purchase of timber for defence purposes towards the end of 1943, but has continued to function as a clearing-house for defence and emergency requirements by placing orders on behalf of purchasing authorities in some instances and by advising others of the most suitable sources of supply. 106. limber Control Notices.--The following Timber Control notices were issued pursuant to the Supply Control Emergency Regulations 1939 and Timber Emergency Regulations 1939 ( a ) Timber Control Notice No. 56, dated 17th May, 1944, and published in Gazette, 1944, page 622, requires that no sawmiller or timber-merchant or other person who in the' course of his business sells building timber shall sell, offer for sale, or otherwise dispose of rimu, miro, matai, or totara building timber unless it is classified and graded, and such classification and grading complies with the provisions of New Zealand Standard Specification for Classification and Grading of New Zealand Building Timber (National Grading Rules) numbered N.Z.S.S. 169. The National Grading Rules set out clearly a convenient method of classifying and grading timber, and their adoption throughout the Dominion will protect purchasers against delivery of grades lower than those specified. (b) The Railway Sleepers Production Notice 1945, No. 1, dated 23rd February, 1945, was issued to certain specified North Island sawmillers requiring them during March to saw at least 20 per cent, of , their totara production into railway-track sleepers and consign them as required to the Railway Department. This action was necessary owing to the impossibility of importing a sufficient quantity of hardw;ood sleepers from Australia. The requirements of this notice were renewed for the month of April by Notice No. 2 dated 26th March, 1945.

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